One of the jewels in South American rugby, Montevideo's Estadio Charrúa, is being used in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, opening its doors to those potentially infected with the virus.

Making use of the building that played a key part in Los Teros' qualifying for Rugby World Cup 2015 and 2019, the Unión de Rugby del Uruguay (URU) has taken a key role in the fight against the spread of coronavirus by welcoming in otherwise vulnerable homeless people.

“Homeless people that normally sleep in refuges are being checked before they go in and if they have any of the symptoms, they are brought to the Charrúa, they are tested and await here until we get the results," explains Dr Marcelo Santurio, medical director for the URU, from the same stadium where he normally works with teams and during tournaments.

The Estadio Charrúa has hosted elite Uruguayan rugby since 2011, and has undergone many upgrades in that time, many of which are now finding a new purpose during the pandemic. The 17-room dormitory, for instance, is now playing a crucial role in the initiative.

“Given the available space, we are being used as a filter, hosting people that need to be quarantined until a result on their coronavirus tests come back. We have the capacity to have them, we check them medically, look after them, feed them. So far, those that have been coming through have had negative tests,” says Santurio.

But this is just the start – the team knows the cold weather is fast approaching and numbers will continue to grow.

FROM IDEA TO EXECUTION – IN DAYS

Former URU President and current Sudamérica Rugby Vice-President Marcello Calandra originally came up with the idea of offering the game's HQ to help coordinate the country’s crisis response.

The former Tero prop had been crucial when the stadium was handed over in 2011, working hand in hand with the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF). Sebastián Bauzá was Chairman of the AUF back then and now is the National Sports Secretary. Their good relationship from those days was crucial.

Swiftly, a system was put in place through the MIDES – Social Development Ministry – helping those at risk to avoid contagion with others in the refuges.

“These type of actions are done for the right reasons; rugby has been hit for different reasons recently so it is important that the game now takes a position of help,” explains Calandra, saying that other sports are also helping with different welfare actions.

“It is about saying: 'Here we are.' Our values are easy to push forward and allow us to help.”

The dormitory is not the only functional area of the Estadio Charrúa currently being used for social work.

HELPING THE HUNGRY

With the push of another former test prop and URU President Antonio Vizintín, and thanks to the donations of clubs and people wanting to help, once there is sufficient food to sustain a regular service, the big kitchen at the Estadio Charrúa will be used to provide 100 food servings a day for the government to distribute at no cost.

“There is a lot of need in the country," says Calandra. “A businessman donated 2,500 trays and we are stocking foodstuff so that we can commit to a minimum of three weeks of service. All of this is run by the URU with the support of the clubs.”

What the Estadio Charrúa provides these unexpected visitors is more than a holding area, Calandra points out. It’s reassurance.

“Sometimes it is much more than a check-up,” he says. “These people have life stories and they need to be heard, people who have lost social skills and need contention. We first have to explain to them why they are there and explain to them how the system works.”

Protocol requires that the homeless are brought in at night in ambulances. The facilities are cleaned regularly, following health recommendations.

For Santurio, “as a doctor, this is a unique experience. It is good to be able to lend a hand, and that this comes from rugby. For me, it is another way of being of service.”

“We launched the campaign recently and it is encouraging to see the level of support we are having,” said URU President Santiago Slinger.

“Clubs are helping in many different ways and rugby is providing solidarity for those in dire need.”